Shenzhou-17, the seventeenth spacecraft launched by China's manned space program, was ignited and launched at 11:14 a.m. Beijing time on October 26, 2023 at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The flight crew of Shenzhou-17 consisted of three astronauts, Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie and Jiang Xinlin, with Tang Hongbo as the commander. This is the 30th flight and the 12th manned mission since the implementation of China's manned space program.
On December 21, 2023, Beijing time, the Shenzhou-17 crew carried out the first out-of-cabin operation, completed the established tasks such as the solar wing repair test of the Tianhe core module, and the first out-of-cabin activity was a complete success. On February 29, 2024, the China Manned Space Engineering Office said that the Shenzhou-17 astronaut crew stationed on the space station is expected to return to the ground at the end of April. On March 1, the China Manned Space Engineering Office revealed that the Shenzhou-17 astronaut crew will choose the opportunity to carry out the second out-of-cabin activity in the near future.
The second exit of Shenzhou-17 is one of the important tasks of China's manned space program, and its significance is mainly reflected in the following aspects: 1. Continuous breakthroughs in manned space technology: high-precision spacecraft and complete life support systems are required for out-of-cabin activities, as well as strong ground support. The success of this mission shows that China has made remarkable progress in space technology and has laid a solid foundation for future deep space exploration. 2. Further understanding of the space environment: Through out-of-cabin activities, astronauts can directly contact the space environment and collect more first-hand data on environmental factors such as space radiation and microgravity. These data will help humanity better understand the impact of the space environment on humans and provide valuable experience for future space exploration and development. 3. The inheritance of the spirit of exploration of unknown territories: Since ancient times, human beings have been full of curiosity and yearning for the sky. The Shen 17 astronauts out of the capsule is the practice and inheritance of this spirit of exploration. Every time an astronaut leaves the capsule, it is a celebration of this spirit of exploration. 4. The progress of science and technology and the future development: With the continuous maturity of space technology, more and more countries and organizations have begun to set foot in the field of space. The out-of-cabin activities not only demonstrated China's strength and achievements in the field of aerospace, but also provided more possibilities and opportunities for space exploration and development for all mankind. In general, the exit of the Shen-17 astronauts is not only a major breakthrough in China's manned space technology, but also the inheritance and promotion of mankind's spirit of exploration in unknown areas. At the same time, it also provides more possibilities and opportunities for China's future space exploration and development.